“Maine winter can be hard for many of our Knox County neighbors,” said AIO, in a news release. “Add a pandemic to this season, and many in our community are experiencing unusual, and sometimes new, hardships and stress. At the same time, the pandemic has brought forth an amazing generosity in our community for which AIO is incredibly grateful. This generosity comes at a time when AIO is learning about unprecedented need for energy assistance due to the impact of the pandemic.”

AIO Food and Energy Assistance’s year-end appeal produced significant support dedicated to the Energy Assistance Program, according to AIO. This generosity now enables AIO to help families in more ways this winter season – by offering more energy assistance, more often.

Vouchers for heating fuel are now available to Knox County families, even if they have already received heating assistance from AIO this season. The same community generosity has made it possible for AIO to consult with families who need assistance with large electric bills that threaten disconnection – households can now apply to receive support once in the winter and again in the spring.

“This is an extraordinary change for AIO, who has financially only been able to assist a family once per year with either fuel or electricity bill assistance,” said AIO.

Clients seeking energy assistance may qualify for either fuel vouchers, payments towards their electricity bill or a combination of both fuel and electricity. Specifically, AIO may be able to support households with two vouchers for 100 gallons of heating fuel, or two CMP payments (up to $250) applied directly to your account balance in arrears, or one fuel voucher and one CMP payment applied against your balance.

For information on how to access these programs go to http://www.aiofoodpantry.org/energy-assistance, call 207-596-1043 (Press”1” for Energy Assistance), or email energyassistance@aiofoodpantry.org. To keep everyone safe and healthy, volunteer Energy Advisors are conducting consultations over the phone at scheduled appointments.

From November 2020 through mid-February, AIO provided 33 households with electricity assistance, 440 clients with heating assistance and 62 clients with a second issuance of heating assistance.

AIO received the most thoughtful thank you note from a recent client which really meant a lot to workers:

“Thank you so much for amazing help with CMP and heating resources. I can never thank you all enough – your giving hearts and energy is contagious and absolutely appreciated more than words can ever express. Thank you to your whole amazing AIO Team that helps keep families fed, warm and assistance for so much more. Your team rocks.”

Anyone interested in supporting the AIO Energy Assistance Program with a financial donation can do so by visiting www.aiofoodpantry.org/donate, and choose “Energy Assistance.”

Checks can be mailed to: AIO Food and Energy Assistance, P.O. Box 113, Rockland, ME 04841 (Energy Assistance in memo line). 

About AIO Food and Energy Assistance: 

For over 30 years AIO has provided nutritious food and energy assistance to Knox County families. Funding and access to AIO’s programs are more critical than ever as food insecurity in Knox County is projected to increase 46% overall. Knox County currently has the 4th  highest food insecurity rate in the state. Child food insecurity is projected to reach 28% (a 52% increase). AIO’s Energy Assistance Program helps households with heating assistance or electrical disconnection prevention. Energy insecurity occurs when there is limited or uncertain access to enough home energy to sustain a healthy and safe life. Energy burden is the percentage of household income devoted to energy expenditures. Low income residents spend proportionally more of their household finances on electricity and heating, an average high energy burden of 19% (average home energy burden is 6%) leaving a lot less for rent, food, medical and other critical expenses.